
I need to get something off my chest
Donation protected
Hi! My name is Andrew. I'm 24 years old and this is my story. If you're here reading this right now, I want to thank you for taking the time to listen. On January 2nd, 1996, my mother gave birth to me. She was only 18 years old. I don't know much about her or my birth-father, but what I do know is that they thought that it would be in my best interest to give me up at the time for a chance at a better life.
My adoptive father is a pastor, and religion was always a constant in the household. For years, I was expected to follow that path and blindly follow in their footsteps. However, I slowly began to realize that the way I felt inside wasn't lining up with what I had been told was the reality. For as long as I can remember, I could never really feel comfortable in my own skin. I started to search for answers, trying to figure out why I felt so different and why I felt trapped and disgusted by my own body. It felt like I was just a distorted image in a house of mirrors.
The realization that my gender identity did not match what I was assigned at birth shook me to my core. Being brought up as the child of a pastor, my home life became a hostile environment. The emotional and mental turmoil that followed my parent's own intolerances of my identity took a toll on me. I felt alone and lost, and I had to find someone who would understand.
On my journey to search for answers to the questions I had about myself, I was able to find someone that shared in my own internal struggle. They were able to give me advice and help me understand the way I was feeling. They lit a fire inside of me and pushed me to find a counselor I could trust to help. With the support of my friend and the affirmation I got from my counselor, I finally got the courage to start hormone therapy. Even with the risk of homelessness and extreme debt on my mind, I knew it was what I had to do, no matter how much of a struggle it would be.
By this time I was eighteen years old and still lived with my parents. Shortly after starting testosterone, I decided it was time to tell them the truth about my identity. Needless to say, it didn't go over how I had hoped it would. They told me to move out, that my father's job would be threatened due to my actions, and from that point forward I was on my own.
After that, I had to work multiple jobs at the same time, on and off, for the majority of my life. I've worked very hard my entire life, being promoted and transferred often. I eventually made my way down to Panama City, Florida. But on October 10th we were hit by Hurricane Michael. The storm came through my neighborhood, ravaged it, and almost completely destroyed it. My house was still be standing, but it was virtually unlivable. On top of that, my job was demolished. So once again I had to start at square one.
I had to move back to my hometown of Montgomery, AL, where I grew up. At the time it was my most financially stable option. Fast forward to now, I'm in good standing with a different job, having been promoted twice in almost one year and my life is starting to get back on track. However, I wasn't able to get the insurance I desperately needed in order to continue my transition.
I've been lucky enough to have a consultation with a surgeon in Birmingham, AL, and we have set a date for my top surgery. If everything goes as planned, on September 24th I'll finally be able to take a step in the right direction and reflect on the outside how I've felt on the inside for all of these years. It's the only thing I want more than anything in the world.
I've always had to fight and work hard for everything that I have in my life. My current job is very intense, and it requires lots of lifting and carrying heavy objects. If I'm able to go through with the procedure I'll be out for at least 6 weeks. Luckily, two of those weeks are paid for, but after that, I won't have any support. I'm not usually one to ask for help or handouts, but even if all you can do is share this with someone else-- that would mean the world to me.
If you're still here reading this, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Everyone deserves to feel right in their own skin, to be who they really are. Thank you for letting me get that off my chest.
With love,
Andrew
My adoptive father is a pastor, and religion was always a constant in the household. For years, I was expected to follow that path and blindly follow in their footsteps. However, I slowly began to realize that the way I felt inside wasn't lining up with what I had been told was the reality. For as long as I can remember, I could never really feel comfortable in my own skin. I started to search for answers, trying to figure out why I felt so different and why I felt trapped and disgusted by my own body. It felt like I was just a distorted image in a house of mirrors.
The realization that my gender identity did not match what I was assigned at birth shook me to my core. Being brought up as the child of a pastor, my home life became a hostile environment. The emotional and mental turmoil that followed my parent's own intolerances of my identity took a toll on me. I felt alone and lost, and I had to find someone who would understand.
On my journey to search for answers to the questions I had about myself, I was able to find someone that shared in my own internal struggle. They were able to give me advice and help me understand the way I was feeling. They lit a fire inside of me and pushed me to find a counselor I could trust to help. With the support of my friend and the affirmation I got from my counselor, I finally got the courage to start hormone therapy. Even with the risk of homelessness and extreme debt on my mind, I knew it was what I had to do, no matter how much of a struggle it would be.
By this time I was eighteen years old and still lived with my parents. Shortly after starting testosterone, I decided it was time to tell them the truth about my identity. Needless to say, it didn't go over how I had hoped it would. They told me to move out, that my father's job would be threatened due to my actions, and from that point forward I was on my own.
After that, I had to work multiple jobs at the same time, on and off, for the majority of my life. I've worked very hard my entire life, being promoted and transferred often. I eventually made my way down to Panama City, Florida. But on October 10th we were hit by Hurricane Michael. The storm came through my neighborhood, ravaged it, and almost completely destroyed it. My house was still be standing, but it was virtually unlivable. On top of that, my job was demolished. So once again I had to start at square one.
I had to move back to my hometown of Montgomery, AL, where I grew up. At the time it was my most financially stable option. Fast forward to now, I'm in good standing with a different job, having been promoted twice in almost one year and my life is starting to get back on track. However, I wasn't able to get the insurance I desperately needed in order to continue my transition.
I've been lucky enough to have a consultation with a surgeon in Birmingham, AL, and we have set a date for my top surgery. If everything goes as planned, on September 24th I'll finally be able to take a step in the right direction and reflect on the outside how I've felt on the inside for all of these years. It's the only thing I want more than anything in the world.
I've always had to fight and work hard for everything that I have in my life. My current job is very intense, and it requires lots of lifting and carrying heavy objects. If I'm able to go through with the procedure I'll be out for at least 6 weeks. Luckily, two of those weeks are paid for, but after that, I won't have any support. I'm not usually one to ask for help or handouts, but even if all you can do is share this with someone else-- that would mean the world to me.
If you're still here reading this, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Everyone deserves to feel right in their own skin, to be who they really are. Thank you for letting me get that off my chest.
With love,
Andrew
Organizer and beneficiary
Andrew Bloodworth
Organizer
Montgomery, AL
Andrew Bloodworth
Beneficiary